capekate

Hi Armadillo
Thats the same type of vacuum that I have. Its really not that hard to try a different method. You say that your vacuum gets too much air in it.Well, if you lay it down horizontally across the top of the water, let the water flow into that hard plastic part while your other hand is holding the flexible tubing end closed with your finger. Slowly raise the plastic vacuum end up to let the water run all the way down to the end of the flexible tubing to your finger. Make sure that the whole tube is full of water and there is no air in it. Keeping your finger over the end of the tubing, slowly lay the hard plastic part back horizontally into the water and let it fill up what you spilled out while doing this. Once that plastic part is full of water you can then take your finger off the end of the tubing that you now have over your bucket. Your water should then flow just fine. You don't need to be sucking the water up the tube... really!!! You have to try this.... and let me know how it went! OK?

armadillo

BUT I LIKE TO SUCK THE WATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!

Thanks for the tips, guys, but the problem is with my tall hex. You can't fit the vaccuum horizontally so it gets loads of air in, no matter what, and you have to do it in 2 goes: 1st make sure all the initial water flows in, then suck so that you pull the water from the tank to fill in where the huuuuuge air bubble is. I promise you, am not being a monkey on this one (am being supervised by my engineer husband for it, as he knows I have no practical sense!).

capekate

LOL.... OKKKKKkkk... Well, I can understand the tall hex giving you problems with room. I still think that there is a solution to this lol.. wish I was near you to give you a hand.
and dont get sick on that wateeeeeeeeeer!!!

armadillo

he he he! I'll get my man to show me whether he can think of any tricks. He's really practically minded. His fish (and me) are lucky to have him!!!

capekate

awww thats sweet, and im sure your fish and your man are lucky to have you too!

armadillo

Everybody's lucky!!!

Gavinie

Sounds like you might have a faulty vacuum. Check for pinholes, cracks, etc along the entire length, but more so as you get to the inlet end. Also check the connection between the hard plastic bit and the hose as this can be loose. As with any soft plastics the hose can get brittle with age and can stretch and disform around connections. A little aquarium silicon might seal up any flaws.

While sucking to start the siphon I use a bull clip to keep the inlet end well underwater, including the connection part, "pinning" the hose at that end to the edge of the tank. Again, it is only necessary to get the leading edge of the water lower than the top level of the tank water. Then let 'er rip.

Not to say that armadillo's method wouldn't work, but why not just bury the whole apparatus in the water and let it fill up. Then pull out the outlet end, using a finger to keep it well plugged until the outlet end is lowered to the bucket. That's how I used to empty our above ground pool when I was a kid -- (hours of amusement that little task!). It just seems to me that it is harder to get all the air out that way.

Once the siphon is started, never let the inlet end out of the water. I usually transfer the bull clip to the bucket end to keep that in place while vacuuming.

Or get your man involved, but doesn't that usually confuse and confound things?

armadillo

he he he. Yep, he can be confusing but I"ll just let him do the work rather than explain!

I can't put the whole thing under water as it's a tall hex and the hard part won't fit laterally.

Gavinie

I hear you. That's why my technique. Check that the siphon is air tight.

Cheers.

armadillo

Ooooh, I'll give it a close read next time I have to do it. Thanks, Gavin.

Isabella

I wouldn't drink my tank water, lol I think it could make you sick, especially if you had any sick fish in it. PLUS ... you know that tank water contains fish wastes ... so it makes drinking tank water that much more disgusting, lol.

Besides, I don't even drink my tap water. Tap water in the entire United States IS POISONOUS - believe it or not. Chlorine and fluoride are extremely toxic substances and they cause many cancers in humans, but of course the government won't tell you about it. Tank water is basically your tap water, that has been conditioned with your dechlorinator. A dechlorinator is a chemical in a way too. So this is another reason why I wouldn't drink my tank water.

armadillo

Guys, you seem to think that I ENJOY drinking my tank water! It's just that my extremely limited brain power for practical stuff simply doesn't allow me to understand any of the methods suggested to me. I was trying at home and I just don't really get it for the tall hex. I'll have to ask Thijs to show me in person again.

Luniyn

They don't sell the one I posted above at your pet stores? Wonder if PetCo online will deliver to your area? No thinking needed, just squeeze the "auto siphon" pump ball and the water just starts flowing.

Amnagrla

lol armadillo!!! I'm with ya, babe!

I could NEVER get the syphon to work right, ever! So, I stick it in, take a little suck just to get the water going, and I've NEVER got water in my mouth. Also.... every time I take the yucky water to the sink, I take the syphon and run hot water all the way through it to make sure it is cleaned for my next sucking!!! hahaha

armadillo

I think that's a really good idea. I'll find out. I knew of them but it escaped my mind.

armadillo

Finally someone with the same problems!!!

Amnagrla

lol we're like distant sisters, dillo. (do you mind that I call you dillo?)

armadillo

Not at all. However Laurie, Laura, Laurie-Anne, ... OK, OK, I'll stop being neurotic about that one!